First Ascent Podcast

Jay & Lee
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Jay and Lee have been friends for 20 years, and they've been chatting about climbing pretty much the whole time, be it in person, via text, or on social media. Now they take their witty conversation to the next frontier: a podcast. Join them as they discuss current events and trends in climbing, their recent climbing adventures, and whatever else that comes up. It's basically like crag spray, but recorded!

  1. 07/23/2025

    The World of Lander According to Jake Dickerson

    Lander local shop owner, author and prolific route developer Jake Dickerson joins me on the pod today! Jake's routes are beloved in the Lander area. With over 50 routes to his name (including routes at the hilariously named 'Jake's World'), he has some great thoughts about how to approach route development in the Lander area.  He is also part owner of Wild Iris Mountain Sports, a fantastic shop that serves as an unofficial hub for the Lander Climbing community. After working there for years, he stepped into the role of part-owner in 2023. You'll hear about that transition, and the deep importance of supporting your local gear shop.  Jake recently published a novel! He'll tell us all about his twisted sci-fi/western Gunsmoke Over Lander. Grab your copy at Wild Iris Mountain Sports (or if you absolutely have to, you can also get it on Amazon).  If you’re craving more First Ascent during that time, join the First Ascent Patreon! For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and an ever growing library of Jay’s musings. Plus you’ll get exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    53 min

  2. 07/16/2025

    The Legend of Tim DeRoehn

    Tim DeRoehn is that underground climber that everyone knows. Climbing since the 90s, his history spans Rumney, Boulder, dirtbagging across the west and now residing in Chattanooga, TN.  Today, Tim shares how the culture at Rumney has changed over the last 20+ years, and why he thinks the changes are for the better. He explains his long time love for soloing and details how he navigated the personal risks involved. Then, Jay and Tim debate whether or not new beta on a route changes the route entirely.  Plus - Tim shares the thing about Jay that’s always annoyed him, Tim and Jay start the Barracuda Support Club, and why Rumney keeps you humble.  If you’re craving more First Ascent during that time, join the First Ascent Patreon! For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and an ever growing library of Jay’s musings. Plus you’ll get exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    1h 4m

  3. 07/09/2025

    Questions of Climbing and Faith with Aaron Shamy

    Former X Games speed climbing gold medalist Aaron Shamy joins the podcast today for a deep conversation about how climbing affects our identities and can influence us to become better members of society. A longtime local of American Fork outside of Salt Lake City, Aaron is a member of the LDS church and also shares about how his faith forms his approach to life, and how his religion is seen within the (often non-spiritual) climbing community.  Plus - What it was like to compete (and win!) in the X Games, Jay and Aaron consider doing American Ninja Warrior, Jay and Aaron’s skin care tips, and why gates in is the way.  If you’re craving more First Ascent during that time, join the First Ascent Patreon! For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and an ever growing library of Jay’s musings. Plus you’ll get exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    59 min

  4. 07/02/2025

    Training Through Injury + The Ethics of Rebolting with Ethan Edwards

    Longtime friend of the pod Ethan Edwards joins me today to chat about injuries, retrobolting, and the importance of public lands.  Ethan will detail his surgery and recovery process from a skiing injury, and he’ll share how he’s approached training during this time so that he can be in the best shape possible once he’s completed convalescence.  Then, he’ll tell us all about his retrobolting/rebolting project at Crow Hill in Massachusetts. We’ll discuss the delicate process of the importance of social buy in for retrobolting projects and how he navigated the situation in a way that seemed to appeal to everyone involved.  If you live in the west and you believe in the importance of our public lands, please call your representatives to tell them to support keeping public lands protected!  We have almost reached our fundraising goal for the new parking lot at Miriam Woods/Russell Crag! Help us get over the top by donating at https://www.centralnhclimbers.org/ Join us over on the First Ascent Patreon. For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and many more. Plus you’ll get a Discord chat, exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    51 min

  5. 05/28/2025

    Jay Knower is in the Hot Seat (with Guest Host Jim Lawyer)

    Oh how the tables have turned! Jim Lawyer takes the interviewer’s mic and turns the spotlight onto Jay in an interview that will give you more insight into our host than ever before.  You’ll learn about how Jay became obsessed with climbing, what brought him to New Hampshire, the first ascent he felt was worth ‘risking a friendship over’, the number one thing he’d like to change about climbing culture, and even his feelings about being a rare and shunned ‘gates in’ climber.  First Ascent is going into summer mode! Starting now, we’ll begin releasing episodes every other week to more fully enjoy the best part of the climbing season.  If you’re craving more First Ascent during that time, join the First Ascent Patreon! For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and an ever growing library of Jay’s musings. Plus you’ll get exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    1h 11m

  6. 05/21/2025

    The Best of Lee Hansche

    Today at First Ascent we honor the incredible Lee Hansche on the one year anniversary of his passing. So many of us are missing Lee today, so we have compiled a highlight reel featuring some of Lee’s best moments from the 96 episodes that he co-hosted on The First Ascent Podcast. You’ll hear clips that reflect Lee’s wisdom, humor, relationships, love of life, and even his fashion sense.  We miss you, Lee!  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    39 min

  7. 05/14/2025

    Challenging the Norms of Aging: The Importance of Doing Hard Things

    Today Jay is joined by his mom Susan and his sister Suzanne to discuss Susan’s recent backpacking trip to Torres del Paine and Mt. Fitz Roy in Patagonia, and how challenging treks like this are central to her approach to aging.  You’ll hear about:  Why at 72 years old Susan chose to take the ‘Challenging’ trip as opposed to the ‘comfort trip’ The pros and cons Susan has experienced as she’s continued to push your body despite age What Susan has gained from a life of challenging herself physically The mental game of staying at your top possible performance as you age  Join us over on the First Ascent Patreon. For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and many more. Plus you’ll get a Discord chat, exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    47 min

  8. 05/09/2025

    Merriam Woods/Russell Crag - An Update on Access and Development!

    Members of the Central New Hampshire Climbers Association are on the pod today to share full details about the current status of climbing and development at Merriam Woods/Russell Crag. Things are in full swing and we need your help! Jay is joined by Chris Vaughn, Katie Vaughn and Mike Gagnon to tell you all about it:  We’ll talk about:  The current state of access to Merriam Woods and Russell CragCNHCA’s recent land purchase to build a parking lot for Merriam WoodsThe work CNHCA is putting in to develop routes and further access in the areaHow you can get involved with the development of Merriam Woods!   Visit www.centralnhclimbers.org to support our mission of developing Merriam Woods Reach out at info@centralnhclimbers.org with any questions or if you’d like to get involved.  CNHCA will be at these events coming up! Join us:  May 30th at The Concord Climbing Gym 6-8pm June 7th at Twin Barns in North Woodstock in the evening For more information about events, follow CNHCA on Instagram @centralnhclimbers Join us over on the First Ascent Patreon. For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and many more. Plus you’ll get a Discord chat, exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.  Disclaimer:  The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

    38 min
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5
out of 5
88 Ratings

About

Jay and Lee have been friends for 20 years, and they've been chatting about climbing pretty much the whole time, be it in person, via text, or on social media. Now they take their witty conversation to the next frontier: a podcast. Join them as they discuss current events and trends in climbing, their recent climbing adventures, and whatever else that comes up. It's basically like crag spray, but recorded!

Information

  • Creator
    Jay & Lee
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 First Ascent Podcast
  • Show Website
    First Ascent Podcast

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